PHILADELPHIA — Former car thief Richard Dukes gave his life to Christ while serving prison time. Upon his release, he went directly to the tattoo parlor and had Christ’s wounds tattooed on his hands, feet, torso and head.

“This is my way of bearing on my body the marks of Christ, like Paul said,” Dukes says. “I’m in the Lord’s gang now. These are his colors.”

People often stop Dukes on the street to marvel at the crown of thorns tattooed on his head.

His personal expression of faith has opened doors for ministry. He speaks at local schools and youth groups, showing off the graphic nail holes on his hands and feet, and the gash in his abdomen.
And the wounds are “a terrific witnessing tool.” Grocery clerks are startled to see the nail-scarred hands when they give Dukes his change.